The UK has been hit by a fifth wave of Covid this year, with cases up 20 percent in a week.

The number of Covid cases rose by 20 percent in a week as experts warn that a new wave is now underway – the fifth this year.

The daily number of symptomatic infections rose from 219,131 on Wednesday, December 14 to 262,675 on Wednesday, December 22, according to the latest data from the ZOE Health Study.

This is the highest level since the end of July, well above the level of most pandemics and above the Christmas forecast of 250,000 cases per day.

But that’s well below July’s record of 351,546 cases and is not expected to surpass that level in the current spike, which ZOE says will peak in mid-January at around 300,000 cases per day.

The high level is due to cold weather forcing people to stay at home, as well as active communication due to Christmas shopping and the World Cup.

The fall in immunity and the return to normal life also contributed to this, experts say.

Colds and flu are also on the rise for the same reasons as Covid and combined are four times more common than Covid cases.

Prof Tim Spector, professor at King’s College London who runs the ZOE app, said: “Cases of Covid, colds and flu are still on the rise in the UK as the common cold hits the highest numbers we’ve seen since the start of the pandemic. with southern and western England growing the fastest. I expect this to peak in January and then decline.

Professor Carl Friston, a virus modeller at University College London, said: “This week marks the start of the next wave of infections – a stark reminder that Covid has not gone away and is only increasing our suffering and the pressure on health services due to its This wave is expected to peak in mid-January, after which around 5% of the UK population will contract Covid – compared to around 7.5% seen in the two highest peaks so far, in March and July. 2022.

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, added: “The public has gone from absolute concern in the early days of the pandemic to deliberate caution – through vaccinations, testing and wearing masks – to almost complete complacency,” Professor Lawrence said. Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick.

“But this latest data tells us that Covid is still with us and adds to the unprecedented pressure the NHS is facing,” he says.

“While it is likely that the population’s current immunity to previous infections and vaccinations will still protect the majority from serious illnesses, booster vaccination coverage in the fall has been low, especially among people in their 50s and 60s, and there is certainly no space. for complacency. “

Steve Griffin says that given the lack of government guidance on Covid at the moment, people need to take the lead to keep rates low in the coming weeks.

“The current lack of public health means we are forced to take personal responsibility for containing the spread of these viruses. If you can afford sidestream testing, test it before going outside or schedule large group meetings, especially if you’re not feeling well,” he said.

He says if you’re not feeling well, you should avoid human contact whenever possible, as lateral flow tests are far from completely accurate and won’t detect colds or flu.

“Please use your vaccination services if you have them, including for children, and if you have access to a paid flu shot, then this is highly recommended.

“Finally, a well-fitting filter mask prevents the spread of both viruses in shops, crowds or public transport. Obviously, most of them won’t want to wear the tags at parties or in crowded places, so it’s best to provide adequate ventilation or filtration,” he adds.

Simon Williams of Swansea University says: “We are once again at the start of a new wave of Covid. While in some respects we are in a better position this Christmas, in others we are in an even worse position.

“We are in a better position than last December because we have relatively high vaccination coverage and have yet to see a new option like the original Omicron.

“However, this year we have two problems. First, at this time of the year, we are seeing much higher flu rates than usual. Secondly, the NHS and its staff have endured another 12 months of pressure and strain, so this year’s “winter pressure” is greater than ever.

“A new wave of Covid coupled with influenza leading to significant hospitalizations could be the last straw to bring the camels back. The waiting time for an ambulance is currently going through the roof. Anything we can do to reduce this burden will help.”

The common cold — and, to an even greater extent, the flu — has returned to pre-pandemic levels as people return to near the state they were in before the pandemic, after three years of limited socialization reduced their immunity to common viruses.

As a result, Britain is suffering from a “triple whammy” of colds, flu and Covid that will infect millions over Christmas, Prof Spector warned earlier this month.